48 Hours in Vienna: The perfect two-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   
   1. Morning

      Grab a coffee on the Graben (30 minutes)

      

      The Graben, in Vienna’s first district, is one of the most popular shopping streets and a hub for cool and classic cafes. Arguably the most stunning, the historic Café Central, can be found closeby— the perfect place for your first taste of Vienna. Its vaulted ceilings and charming booths have welcomed regulars like Sigmund Freud and the city’s greatest writers for centuries before you. Try the traditional Kaiserschmarrn (scrambled sweet pancakes) or Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) and other Viennese specialities in the most decadent surroundings.

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   2. See St Stephen’s Cathedral (1 hour)

      

      A 10-minute walk away is St Stephen’s Cathedral. The symbol of Vienna, there’s even more to see behind its impressive exterior, including multiple ornate chapels, the South and North Towers, and the catacombs. At 448-feet (137 meters) tall, the climb to the South Tower is challenging but worth it for the panoramic view. You’ll see it on a walking tour of the city’s highlights, but to get the most from this spot, book the all-inclusive ticket at the cathedral entrance, which includes access to the towers and catacombs, as well as an audio guide. If you need a mid-morning snack, drop by the famous Trzesniewski for finger sandwiches and a small beer (locally known as pfiff), which is perfectly acceptable pre-lunch in Vienna.

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   3. Afternoon

      Trot over to the Spanish Riding School (1 hour)

      

      Walk past the Rathaus, or city hall, admiring the Gothic facade of what was once the world’s tallest building. The giant square in front is almost always in use for festivals and events like Christmas markets and outdoor cinema. Wind through the Volksgarten — a romantic manicured garden filled with fountains, monuments, and rose gardens — before arriving at the Spanish Riding School. Vienna is so immersed in the arts, even the horses do ballet, and the school has been raising and training dancing Lipizzaner horses since 1572. You can book tickets online to get a glimpse of the stunning feat of equestrian acrobatics on show or, better yet, go behind-the-scenes by booking a special tour that takes you through the school’s history, stables, and important buildings.

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   4. See the storied Hofburg Palace and eat at its Palmenhaus (2 hours)

      

      In the center of the city, this 13th-century building used to be the imperial palace of the Habsburg Dynasty, and now serves as the official residence and workplace of the Austrian president. Pass by on foot — or for a more memorable experience, book a 30-minute tour in a horse-drawn carriage — and continue making your way to the large Art Nouveau greenhouse, the Palmenhaus. Once built for Austrian emperors, it's now a restaurant, although a few exotic plants remain. Sit inside or on the terrace, with views over the palace’s gardens, for classic Viennese dishes in the city’s most stunning lunchtime surroundings. Feel free to skip dessert; something sweeter is coming.

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   5. Evening

      Surround yourself with art at Albertina (1.5 hours)

      

      The perfect stop for all art lovers, there’s something for everyone at the Albertina Museum. Best known for its collection of French Impressionists, including Monet, there’s also many works by Picasso — from early Cubist paintings to his later experimental period — and the building was originally a residence for Habsburg archdukes and archduchesses. Avoid any ticket lines by booking your tickets ahead. Recharge yourself (and more than satisfy your sweet tooth) with coffee and a slice of Vienna’s world-famous original Sachertorte from Café Sacher nearby.

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   6. Explore the MuseumsQuartier (1.5 hours)

      

      Pass through Maria-Theresienplatz on the way to the MuseumsQuartier, one of the world’s largest arts and culture districts that combines around 60 cultural institutions housed in both contemporary and 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Take your pick of galleries and museums, or simply enjoy the relaxing inner city oasis of courtyards and cafe life. After the spaces start to close around 6:00 PM, join the Viennese locals enjoying a drink on the benches outside.

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   7. Savor the sweet sounds at Vienna Opera House (1.5 hours)

      

      Have a hankering to see Faust, La Traviata, or Madame Butterfly? Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and many others all lived in Vienna, so this city is one of the great places to experience the opera. Visit one of the world’s leading opera houses where more than 60 different operas and ballets are performed each year, and a performance is never repeated two nights in a row, just make sure to book in advance on the Vienna Opera House website. If you find it’s sold out, you can always try your luck for low-price standing room tickets at the ticket booth two hours before the show. If you just want to see inside, book an afternoon guided tour to explore the 1,709-seat Renaissance Revival building. If opera isn’t for you, find dinner on Burggasse, which stretches east from Museums Quartier.
      

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2. Day 2

   
   1. Morning

      Get a glimpse of royal life at Schönbrunn Palace (3 hours)

      

      Begin your second day just outside the city at Schönbrunn Palace, a 16th-century relic that was once home to the Habsburg royalty. With 22 lavish state rooms and the 40-meter long Great Gallery, it’s best to get there early to snap amazing photos without the crowds. Plus, booking a guided tour means you won’t miss any juicy details about how the royal family lived. Be sure to stop by some special spots in its beautiful gardens and grounds: the giant Neptune Fountain; the triumphal arches of the Gloriette, which is the perfect place for a palace photo; and the Lost Garden, a challenging topiary maze. The grounds are also home to Schönbrunn Zoo, the oldest in the world and “Europe’s best zoo” five years running.

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   2. Feast at the Naschmarkt (2 hours)

      

      A few stops on the U-Bahn (subway) will bring you to Naschmarkt, where you’ll find all the food your heart and stomach desires. This colorful, bustling, mile-long gourmet market boasts more than 120 stands, with diverse options ranging from Viennese classics to Indian dishes, French pastries, and everything in between. There’s also a great flea market every Saturday. Spoiled for choice? Join a food tasting tour that will whisk you between the best stalls, sampling as you go.

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   3. Afternoon

      ​​See the surprising architecture in Stadtpark (1 hour)

      

      Take a slow stroll through Stadtpark, a lovely green space with many picturesque ponds and bridges, while watching out for an over-the-top gilded statue of Strauss. Make your way towards the Danube Canal where the colorful jigsaw apartment building, Hundertwasser House, is a must-see. Artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser was an opponent of straight lines and Austria’s answer to Gaudi; the nearby Hundertwasser Village, a colorfully transformed former tire factory, acts as a portfolio of his architectural work. Had enough walking? A guided segway tour combines the best of Stadtpark and your next stop, Prater, with more speed and less effort.
      

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   4. Evening

      Find a thrill and the the best view of the city from Prater (2.5 hours)

      

      The Prater amusement park is filled with thrilling rides for all ages. The main attraction is the giant Ferris wheel, or Riesenrad, which has been a staple of the Vienna skyline for more than 120 years. You can book ahead to skip the line and go straight up in the sky for memorable, uninterrupted views of the city. Visit shortly before sunset and sit on the left-hand side of your compartment to get the best view of a glowy, golden St Stephen’s Cathedral.
      

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   5. Take a sunset stroll and try the city’s famous schnitzel (2 hours)

      

      Before the city darkens, take an evening stroll along the Danube canal. If the weather is playing nice, stop for a drink at one of the many bars along the canal to really soak in the laid back atmosphere before making your final Vienna food stop. Your last meal should probably be a classic Wiener Schnitzel, and there’s no better place to have one than Figlmüller, but reservations are essential to get a table at this institution so plan ahead.
      

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